A collection of papers, mostly originals or certified contemporary copies,
relating to the installation and activites of Fonte as Archbishop of Mexico, the majority addressed to
or written by him, in Spanish, Latin, and Italian.
The first major portion of this collection
consists of papal rescripts issued by or in the name of Pope Pius VII, with related material, September
4, 1815 - March 15, 1816. Nos. 1-8 are rescripts addressed to Fonte and concerned with blessings or
indulgences; Nos. 9-19 are summaries of petitions presented by Fonte to the Pope through various
cardinals, with statements of the latter on the corresponding papal grants. Dated in Rome and Madrid in
1815 and 1816. Nos. 20-27 comprise seven papal bulls and one profession of faith to be made by the new
archbishop, all dated in 1815, and relating to his election and installation.
The second major
part, Nos. 28-81, consists primarily of letters addressed to Fonte, or, in a few instances, to his
secretaries, from 1815 to 1834, with drafts of his replies, two printed pastoral epistles, etc. Topics
dealt with include Fonte's appointment, requests for financial and other assistance, Fonte's saint's
day, his return to Spain, his support of a Spanish translation of Milton's "Paradise Lost," and his
project for distribution of 100 copies of the Bible, in Latin and the vernacular, throughout Mexico.

Extent

Number of containers: 1 box

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